Even though we really didn’t need to leave so early, we decided to head to the airport at around 6AM for our 8:05AM flight. We had naturally woken up quite early, and figured we might as well go to the lounge and have coffee rather than stay in our room any longer, given that everything at the hotel was closed.
We had checked in online for our flight the day before, so already had mobile boarding passes. We headed straight to security, which was surprisingly efficient. It’s not that the line was especially short, but rather that I was impressed by the efficiency and friendliness of all the staff.
After clearing security we followed the signage towards the “H” concourse, since that’s where our flight was departing from. I was searching on my phone as we walked to try and figure out where the British Airways lounge was located, and struggled (though it was early in the morning and I needed coffee). Even the usually useful oneworld lounge finder only indicated that the lounge was airside in Terminal 3, without a more specific location.
Rome Airport terminal
Fortunately as we kept walking towards the “H” concourse we eventually saw signage for the lounge on the left.
Rome Airport terminal
The Alitalia and British Airways lounge were one level up from the concourse, so we took the escalator up.
Signage for British Airways Lounge Rome Airport
The British Airways Lounge Rome is open daily from 5:15AM until 8:30PM (in winter it only opens an hour later), so at this point had already been open for over an hour. We presented the attendant with our mobile boarding passes and she promptly admitted us, though she briefly held onto our passports as she verified them.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport exterior
It’s my understanding that the British Airways Lounge was recently renovated, which came as a bit of a surprise to me. After looking at pictures of the old lounge it does indeed appear like the new one is a considerable upgrade. Still…
Anyway, the lounge consisted of one big room, though fortunately it had a few pillars and walls to create a (slight) sense of privacy.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
There were self serve food & drink stations at the far ends of the lounge, and then a food station in the middle of the lounge.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
Seating was split between dining tables with chairs, couches, and leather lounging chairs.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport seating
On one side of the lounge was a smoking room.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport smoking room
Across from the smoking room was a small business center of sorts, if it can even be called that. It just had a printer and a single PC, without any real desk space to sit at (personally I value a real desk with an outlet over a PC or a printer).
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport business center
The self serve stations on both sides of the lounge had espresso machines, filtered coffee, juice, liquor, wine, and soft drinks. There was also yogurt in the fridge below the buffet.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport buffet spread
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport wine & juice
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport espresso machine
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport liquor selection
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport yogurt
Then in the center of the lounge was the very underwhelming food spread, which consisted of cereal, fruit in syrup, pastries/croissants, meat, and cheese. It’s a bit puzzling that the airline spends the money to have their own lounge, but then skimps so much on the actual offerings. Or perhaps with the volume of British Airways passengers departing Rome, operating their own lounge is just the cheapest option.
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport buffet
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport buffet
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport cereal
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport pastries
British Airways Lounge Rome Airport bread, cold cuts, and cheese
We spent about 45 minutes in the lounge, most of which we spent working. Fortunately the Wi-Fi in the lounge was serviceable, so I had no issues in that regard.
At around 7:20AM we left the lounge and headed to our departure gate for our flight to London, which was about a five minute walk away. Within five minutes of arriving at gate H3, fast track boarding was called, which seemed to include about half of the plane (business class went through row 12, and on top of that there seemed to be a lot of elite members in economy).
British Airways departure gate Rome Airport
British Airways Lounge Rome bottom line
While the British Airways Lounge Rome is fine physically, I was underwhelmed by the food & drink selection. On the plus side, at least the Wi-Fi in the lounge worked fine. If you wouldn’t otherwise have access, there are a couple of Priority Pass options in Rome, where a credit card with lounge access could be useful.
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